New investigation exposes brutal killing of civilians by Myanmar’s military junta

A new investigation has found that the Myanmar military carried out a series of mass killings in July that resulted in the deaths of at least 40 civilians.

Witnesses say soldiers would round up villagers before separating out the men and executing them.

There are also reports that many of the victims were first tortured and buried in shallow graves.

Military label killings as “Punishment”

It’s believed the killings were carried out as punishment for attacks by militia groups demanding a return to democracy.

The military has faced resistance from civilians since it seized control of the country, which is also called Burma, deposing a democratically-elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

The largest killing took place in Yin village, where at least 14 men were tortured or beaten to death and their bodies thrown in a forested gully.

According to the BBC, in the nearby village of Zee Bin Dwin, in late July, 12 mutilated bodies were found buried in shallow mass graves, including a small body, possibly a child, and the body of a disabled person. Some were mutilated.

A spokesperson for the military government has not denied the allegations.